Distracted driving is a much-discussed topic when it comes to car accidents. But drivers are not the only ones that are easily distracted by technology and other surroundings. We are all guilty of trying to multitask when getting from one place to another but while this is illegal to do when you are behind the wheel, cities and states are also looking into punishing this action while walking in certain scenarios.

A 2012 study found that those individuals that were texting and walking were 60% more likely to veer off course than those that were looking forward. What’s happened since that 2012 study? A lot more options for distractions on your smartphone. Safety.com reports on the problem, “Scientists call the phenomenon inattentive blindness, saying that the human brain has only evolved to only be able to adequately focus attention on one task at a time. So when you’re texting or talking on the phone while you are trying to walk you cannot adequately give your full attention to both tasks.”

Tripping and falling are just the beginning of the injuries a pedestrian can sustain when busy with their phone. When a pedestrian and a car get into an accident, the results can be deadly.  While California does not currently punish the offense, here’s a look at some of the places that do:

• Fort Lee, New Jersey: distracted walkers found to be Jaywalking in this east coast city will be fined $85
• Honolulu, Hawaii: Fines start at $35 for the first offense when found to be walking across the street and looking at your smartphone.

Talks of bans similar to Fort Lee and Honolulu are taking places in many cities around the country right now with the simple aim of getting walkers to be aware of their surroundings. Pedestrian accidents are serious and sometimes deadly. If you were texting and got injured in a car accident or property, evidence of your distracted behavior will certainly be offered by the other party to limit their responsibility. Working with an experienced personal injury attorney can help ensure that you get the maximum recovery for your injuries or loss. At Walch Law, we are the legal team you want fighting your pedestrian accident case. We understand the difficult time you are dealing with right now and are here to help with your financial and physical recovery. Give us a call today to learn more.